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From the
https://futurechatham.weebly.com 20 April 2019.
Planned redevelopment of King Charles Hotel in Gillingham criticised by
Historic England and KCC.
A 'problematic' planning application seeking approval for the
redevelopment of the King Charles Hotel in Brompton Road, Gillingham
has been met with criticism from Historic England and Kent County
Council (KCC).
The proposed works will include the demolition of the hotel's unused
nightclub and conferencing suites where a four storey block of 57
flats will be built, as well as a rooftop expansion to the existing
hotel building which will serve as a new fourth floor with 25
additional bedrooms for guests.
The proposed redevelopment as seen from Brompton Road - © GDM
Architects.
Built in 1948, the complex was originally a Naval, Army and Air
Force Institute Club (NAAFI) until it closed in 1962. It was then
converted into a hotel under the name the "Aurora Hotel," before
being re-branded to the present King Charles Hotel in 1980 by the
family that continue to run it to this very day. The popular
nightclub venue of the hotel ('The Excalibur') closed in the late
90s and has stood empty ever since.
However, concerns were raised by Historic England who felt that the
building of a four storey block on part of the former NAAFI Club
site was 'problematic' due to its scale.
Alice Brockway, Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas at
Historic England, said: "At this height the replacement building
will be far more dominant in the street scene.
"We therefore conclude that the scheme causes some harm to the
significance of the scheduled Lines, the grade II listed Royal
Engineers Museum and to the conservation area as a whole."
As well as being close to the scheduled monument of the Chatham
Lines, which were constructed in 1757 to defend the Royal Dockyard
at Chatham from landward attack, the King Charles Hotel sits at the
heart of the Brompton Lines Conservation Area.
The King Charles Hotel is opposite to the Royal Engineers Museum.
Kent County Council has flagged concerns over the site's potential
for 'archaeological remains' associated with the area's military
past.
Ben Found, Senior Archaeological Officer at KCC, said:
"Archaeological remains have been observed at the MidKent College
site and at the neighbouring Black Lion [Medway Park] sports
complex.
"Such archaeological remains may be disturbed by the proposed
demolition and subsequent construction works."
He also slammed GDM Architect's existing Heritage Statement as it
doesn't consider the hotel building to be a heritage asset, which
being a surviving example of post-war 'super NAAFI club', should be
of "some historic interest."
GDM Architects, who are acting as an agent on behalf of King Charles
Hotel, strongly denied any historical importance of the building,
stating: "The demolition will not directly affect any heritage
asset.
"It has not been part of an historical event and does not have a
strong community or symbolic value.
It is anticipated that the proposed block of flats will provide a
mixture of market dwellings (75%) and affordable housing (25%), in
the form of 32 one-bedroom units, 24 two-bedroom units and 1
three-bedroom unit.
A total of 181 parking spaces will be provided as part of the
development, with 65 spaces for the residential block and 116 spaces
for the hotel.
Objections have already been lodged by a number of local residents
who feel the development is out of character to its surrounding area
due to the scale and materials of the new block.
Kent County Council has advised planning officers at Medway Council
to seek a programme of archaeological work in any forthcoming
planning consent. Meanwhile, Historic England recommends Medway
Council requests for more information to assess whether the new
block of flats will affect the visual links to the landmark Royal
Engineers Museum and if it will be possible to negotiate with the
applicant to lower the height of the building. |
